He seems to be a shell of his former self. He rode Tahoe Lake today at Belmont in the 4th race, the horse looked outstanding on paper, and besides the winner, this was a horrible field, Leparoux got the horse in all sorts of trouble and finished DFL. If someone can explain to me how Tahoe Lake finished dead last in THAT field, i'd love to hear it.

OK Horse Voice. I kept my mouth shut on this one this time. But now I can't. You are SO right.

He's a real nice guy. But I wish he'd retire.

Thanks for that great post.

You're welcome. And I'm sure Russell Baze is a nice guy.

But someone mentioning him as an example in a thread where Julien Leparoux is getting reamed?

Nonsense. Baze wouldn't last 5 minutes in NY; he gets his ass handed to him every time he ventures down to SoCal. It's not like it's a secret. (Here's your BEST clue: Hollendorfer runs in SoCal all the time now...where is Russell? )

Some people think McDonald's is the best because they make the most hamburgers.

So, you're suggesting that Baze couldnt teach young riders 'a thing or two' because he's not riding and winning races in So Cal? What does that have to do with him being able to teach young riders a few tricks of the trade?

Bill Belichick is the greatest football coach out there but never played one down in the NFL as a player, would you make fun of Belichick and say that he can't teach young players a thing or two because he didnt play football in the 'major leagues'?

I didnt realize being a great player/jockey was a prerequisite for being a great teacher.

So, you're suggesting that Baze couldnt teach young riders 'a thing or two' because he's not riding and winning races in So Cal? What does that have to do with him being able to teach young riders a few tricks of the trade?

Quit putting words in my mouth. If you keep doing this, I won't respond politely anymore -- I will just ridicule you mercilessly.

I didn't "suggest" anything. You did...and you said NOTHING about "young" riders in your prior posts.

The discussion was about Julien Leparoux. He's no kid, and the idea that he needs any instruction from "Small Pond" Russell Baze -- as suggested by mottoman, and seconded by you -- is flat out ridiculous.

Quit putting words in my mouth. If you keep doing this, I won't respond politely anymore -- I will just ridicule you mercilessly.

I didn't "suggest" anything. You did...and you said NOTHING about "young" riders in your prior posts.

The discussion was about Julien Leparoux. He's no kid, and the idea that he needs any instruction from "Small Pond" Russell Baze -- as suggested by mottoman, and seconded by you -- is flat out ridiculous.

You "suggested" that Russell Baze can't teach anyone a 'thing or two' because he's not riding at an elite level. If that's not what you suggested, please explain what you meant.

I listed *exactly* what Russell CAN teach ("stay in a small pond, be on the best horse, etc."). I didn't mention what he CAN'T teach at all.

If you don't twist it, turn it, spin it, and the add in your OWN meanings -- what I wrote requires no additional explanation.

To me, you implied that he couldnt teach because he's not riding at an elite level. Why else would you respond to a post about 'teaching' with shots at Russell's home base if you werent implying that he wouldnt be a great teacher because he's a 2nd tier jock?

Leparoux has been hurt by the weather more than anything else; something like 35% of the turf races during the meet have been moved to the main track due to rain, and the guy's seen as a turf rider. He's still winning at over 10%; a victim of circumstance more than anything.

Tahoe Lake lost the race at the draw, when Imagining got the rail at the famously inside-favoring 1 and 1/4-mile inner-turf distance.

Please, stop looking for hidden or secondary meanings. How many wasted posts already? Six? Now seven?

Why would you make fun of Russel Baze while responding to a post that was suggesting he could be a great teacher to jocks who arent as skilled as he is? Since you responded specifically to a post about Russell being able to teach, i just assumed that you didnt agree with the idea that he can teach. If that's not what you meant, please explain it better, i dont mean to put words in your mouth.

Leparoux has been hurt by the weather more than anything else; something like 35% of the turf races during the meet have been moved to the main track due to rain, and the guy's seen as a turf rider. He's still winning at over 10%; a victim of circumstance more than anything.

Tahoe Lake lost the race at the draw, when Imagining got the rail at the famously inside-favoring 1 and 1/4-mile inner-turf distance.

But he lost to EVERYONE, not just the 1. Most of those horses showed bubkus on paper, this horse was running consistent 93+ Beyers....he couldnt beat anyone to the wire.